Habakkuk 3- Eternal Confidence

 ”Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!“

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Habakkuk finishes his book in a surprising place, confident in the Lord in the midst of trial. He spent 3 chapters warning Gods people that punishment was coming but ends on this note of dependence.  Even if there is no comfort of food or even prospect of sustenance, he will rejoice in God.  He knows that God has the ability to care for him even in the worst circumstances.

I love this idea, because it is so easy for me to find confidence in the things around me.  Or gain strength knowing that I have a good job, or some money in the bank or an amazing wife or…whatever things bring comfort.  All of these however are NOTHING in comparison to having Jesus as Savior!  In fact, without Jesus all of these things can be ripped from me in a flash and I would be left in despair.

Thank you Lord for saving me!  Thank you God for sending Jesus to pay the debt I could never even begin to pay.  Thank you Father God for sending the Holy Spirit to literally live inside me.  None of these things can change regardless of my circumstances.  You are always there, even if I loose everything…let me rest in that confidence!

Habakkuk 2- Motives Matter

 ”Is it not from the Lord of Armies that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory, as the water covers the sea.“

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This prophecy is reminding people that no matter what we are doing if we have the wrong motives, it will lead to nothing.  All of our time and energy will be wasted and the work we were intending to be good actually caused harm.

In the New Testament God tells us that His Word is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, and I believe this is the same message: our motives matter!

God purify my motives, help me to lay down before you all of my thinking and motivations!  May I stand before You in integrity and honesty as I make decisions and live my life for You!  When I don’t see my underlying motives, remove my blinders so that I can see clearly to honor You! 

Habakkuk 1- Fingerprints in the Silence

 ”How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.“

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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This book opens with the prophet in desperation…he is crying out to God frustrated that He has not already acted.  He feels like God is ignoring his prayers.  Honestly, the scene he is describing is accurate to describe the world we live in today!  And frankly, sometimes God does feel far away and like He will never fix the problems we are facing…

The chapter goes on to tell us that God is already at work to resolve the problem, but He is working behind the scenes.  God cares for His people deeply but also knows the perfect timing to heal and restore.  If He acts too early they will not learn the lesson… If He waits too long, His people will be destroyed.  But He never does either of the extremes, He always intervenes at just the right time!

His work behind the scenes is even more spectacular than we can imagine…weaving all the right people and circumstances together to heal and restore.  That is the part that blows me away!  The intricacies of how God works out His plan to perfectly accomplish His rescue of each of us is nothing short of miraculous.

God, next time I feel as if you are far away, help remind me of all the times you felt distant, but you were at work meticulously orchestrating my rescue.  Lord, help me to trust that you are doing that in the lives of those around me as well.  Don’t allow me to despair, but help me to see your fingerprints in all that you are doing!